We are writing in response to recent letters about pricing at the Meadow Park Sports Centre.
As a municipally operated facility, our goal is to be affordable for the residents of Whistler, while meeting the operational costs of our taxpayer-funded facility.
When we set our pricing and format, we weigh the unique qualities of the recreation program at hand. Yoga is a popular and a pricier activity as it is taught by instructors with specialized training who can charge higher fees than most other forms of class-based recreation. The popularity means we need to provide pre-booking of the class so as not to disappoint. On pricing, we looked at the market. Our yoga costs roughly half the price of private studio offerings in the Sea to Sky corridor.
Whistler can be an expensive place to live for all ages and stages of life. We offer a number of initiatives to remove barriers to accessing recreation. From our partnership with Whistler Community Services, to Tuesday and Friday night discounts, off-peak discount times, to volunteer options, we do try to ensure everyone can participate in a healthy lifestyle in our community. The details can be found on our website, whistler.ca, under “recreation promotions.”
We thank those who have voiced their concerns over this program and will keep a close eye on registration and resident feedback to ensure we’re being as fair and as inclusive as possible. We always appreciate when a community member takes the time to provide us with information on how to serve the community better.
